2013: What Has Happened In Physical Education?

As we near the end of 2013, I decided it would be interesting to highlight some of the year’s most interesting and impactful professional events. Here’s my top 10 list:

1. 2012 Shape of the Nation Report: Status of Physical Education in the USA
   Okay, it was actually published at the tail end of 2012 but since it only happens every couple of years this interesting survey gives a status update of physical education in American schools. Checkout what’s happening in your state and around the country.
2. School Health Policies and Practices Study 2012
   Despite fears that physical education programs are in decline, this study from the CDC suggested otherwise. A 10% increase was reported in the percentage of school districts requiring elementary school physical education over the past 12 years. At the middle school level there was almost a doubling of the percentage of states providing lesson plans and tools for evaluating students’ progress. And nationwide there was a 20% increase in districts adopting policies requiring schools to follow national, state, or district PE standards.
3. Institute of Medicine Report: Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
   It’s always nice to have others outside the profession advocating for what you do. What better than to have the highly respected Institute of Medicine, not only recommend 60 minutes of daily physical activity for schoolchildren, but also to suggest to the Department of Education (DOE) that physical education should be designated as a core school subject. Here’s a summary of the report’s recommendations.

1. Let’s Move, Active Schools
   Who better to advocate for physical education than the wife of the American President? In the creation of this new school-focused initiative, Michelle Obama succeeded in bringing together businesses and school focused organizations including AAHPERD. With Nike committed to a $50 million five-year supporting donation, physical educators have a unique but time-limited opportunity to transform the physical activity climate of their schools and make physical education the foundation.
2. American Academy of Pediatrics Endorses Crucial Role of Recess
   This esteemed medical authority highlighted the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social benefits of recess, noting that it afforded a time for children to rest, play, imagine, think, move, and socialize. The Academy noted that research has found that after recess children are more attentive and better able to perform cognitively.
3. Obesity Changes: Mixed Messages
   The year in obesity saw some rare positive news with a report of declining obesity trends among preschool children. Conversely, we learned that more than a third of students in Western New York State are overweight or obese. It was further reported that obesity continues to be problematical among military personnel and more and more are failing to meet required fitness tests. Worryingly, another study suggested that obesity was likely to shorten life by nearly 10 years for Americans.
4. New National Physical Education Standards Released
   In 1986, NASPE defined what a “physically educated individual” looked like. Shortly thereafter, the profession saw the creation of national standards – a huge boost that put us on par with other academic content areas. This year witnessed the publication of new standards that most significantly have adopted the phrase “physical literacy” as a key component.
5. PEP Grants Continue to be Awarded
   For the 13th successive year the US Department of Education supported the development of quality physical education through its PEP Grant Program. This year there were 60 recipients receiving a total of nearly $32 million.
6. AAHPERD Unified
   After years of painstaking deliberation and debate, the alliance of five national professional associations that included NASPE agreed to unify to form one national association. With the majority of Alliance members working in physical education, the new association has adopted the vision statement of “Healthy People – Physically Educated and Physically Active!”
7. SHAPE America Created
   It might take a little getting used to, but the new name adopted in November for AAHPERD is the Society of Health and Physical Educators – SHAPE America. The thinking behind the word “shape” in addition to it being an easy to remember acronym, is that our new professional Association will focus on influencing and communicating the value of what we as members do.

Well that’s my 2013 year-in-reflection list. Perhaps there were other professional events you’d choose to include? Well, you have the chance! At pelinks4u we love to hear your views and share your news. If something is happening in your state or school district that you think might interest your teaching colleagues let us know. We’d especially like to include stories illustrating exemplary physical education programs and teachers. Published stories on schools are great public relations and advocacy events. Please contact us with your ideas.

Very best wishes for the holidays from all of us who work to provide you pelinks4u each month entirely free! Thanks too for the support from the companies and organizations whose logos you see in our publication. Please show your support for them when you have the opportunity. Finally, during your holiday vacation please travel safely, stay healthy, and especially set aside time to enjoy your family and friends.